Specialized Cyclocross Hawke's Bay series produced the muddiest course to date! With little rain in Hawke’s Bay over the past month, the CXHB crew had to pull out all stops to create another great track. In full Belgium flavour, this included a sand trap, 44% steep gradient hill run, 150m mud/bog section, a off camber downhill slope, and a double S bend with some barriers thrown in the middle for some more CX fun! The course was situated on a old rubbish dump, and has recently been turned into a local reserve with new grass and shrub’s planted.

After holding the recent National Championships in Hawke’s Bay, the spirit of Cyclocross is breeding fast with more and more interest shown in each event.

B grade was once again fought out between local riders Mirko Zatezelo and Hayley Davis. With Hayley leading for the first few laps, a puncture put to rest her chances of the win today but continued on fighting to finish 7th. Mirko seized on the opportunity and soloed on for the win. Sasha Smith was the next rider home, having travelled up from down south especially for the event. Local Triathlete Bruce Lochhead rounded out the podium to finish 3rd in his first ever Cyclocross event.

In the free Kids event, after receiving complaints that the last course didn’t have much mud, today’s race didn’t disappoint. With all variations of bikes, from wooden runner bikes, 16” single geared bikes, to mountain bikes trying to hold these kids back was the biggest challenge. Within the first 5 meters of the start one little chap rode straight into a fence post, jumped straight back on and powered his way into the deepest part of the mud puddle. Mitchell Heney took a flyer and rode away for the win, followed by Ben Gouldsbrough and Finn Ashe. All kids received a lollipop for there efforts.

Recently crowned National Champ Gary Hall was keen to wear his new white and black NZ champ jersey, after 1 warm up lap it now included vast amounts of brown mud. Gary took a flyer in the first lap, closely followed by 2011 NZ CX champ Dan Warren, and Josh Page. Gary showed the form needed to win the title 2 weeks ago powering his way over the 2.3km course to go undefeated in 2012. Warren and Page duelled closely early on before Warren upped the pace on the 44% wall. All riders crossed the line, covered from head to toe in thick mud, but with huge smiles on everyone’s faces! It’s like being a kid again, commented 1 rider.

CXHB’s next event will be 12 August and Blackbarn Vineyards in Havelock North.

Specialized Cyclocross Hawke’s Bay Round 4 was held at Blackbarn Vineyards in Havelock North. This race turned into the most epic of the series, with constant rainfall during the week, the muddy course was looking set to entrap the riders in its grasp! This was the second time Cyclocross Hawke’s Bay have been fortunate to hold a race at Blackbarn Vineyards this year. This time the race was held in reverse, so the steep uphill runs from last time, turned into steep muddy downhill sections. And surprisingly enough this is where the spectators congregated to catch a piece of the slip sliding action.

In the B grade race, CXHB commentator Dylan Stewart, was keen to see what at the hype was around Cyclocross. After leading from a fast start, it turned into a 2 horse race between Steve Charles and Stewart. Charles used his triathlon running skills to close the gap and gain a 5 second lead that he never gave up to the finish. Both riders were both hooked on the format of Cyclocross and will be back for some more. Jase Kirkland (3rd), Hayley Davis (1st female), Mirko Zatazalo, Robert Taylor were all part of the chasing pack, trying to tame the mud at the same time.

​Rock Solid Plastering Bike X kids race, was won again by young Mitchell Heney, leading start to finish. He was chased by Ben Gouldsbrough, Barney Wardlaw to round out the podium. All of the starters in the Kids event received Ramblers Cycling Club Drink Bottles filled with lollies supplied by Rock Solid Plastering. I hope the kids gave there mum’s some lollies with all the extra muddy washing she would have had to contend with today.

The A grade field lined up on the now cut up mud tracks, with this proving the strength of the riders to manoeuvre their way through the newly cut mud channels. Dan Warren took the Hole Shot and lead for the first lap, before National Champ Gary Hall took over and worked his magic. Josh Page was closely tailed by Vaughn Phillipson, Ben Ross, and Andrew Townsend. This course would prove costly to any rider who made a mistake in the tricky sections. Fiona MacDermid once again displayed her skills to be the fastest female.

The next race will be held at Hawke’s Bay A and P Showground’s on 2 September. This race will be a flat event, with everyone who’s wanted to try Cyclocross invited to come out, bring the family and have a go! There will be a free Kids event also.

ROUND 1 BLACKBARN VINEYARDS

Cyclocross Hawkes Bay's first race of the series was located at Blackbarn Winery, Havelock North. Held in beautiful sunny conditions, with rainfall softening up the track on Friday night, the course designers noticed a hidden creek bed covered in grass.The top layer of grass was soon removed, and this is where the "Love Channel" was found. A 20 meter section of pure sweet mud.For the roadies in the field, there was no escaping it. And surprisingly enough this is where most of the spectators choose to stand also. With 90 riders in all grade's, the Hawkes Bay Cyclocross scene looks to be growing from strength to strength.The free kids event attracted 40 riders, from 2 year olds up to 12 year olds. This was a awesome turnout and all having great fun on their bikes.A grade was lead from start to finish by Gary Hall who lapped all but Josh Page, in a storming ride.Angus Findlay rode well to gain 3rd place. Findlay a top Under 19 rider in NZ rate's Cyclocross as one of the most physically demanding sports.With young riders like Angus getting into Cyclocross, NZ could see a future star on the world Cyclocross scene. In the B race, Auckland rider Alister Coomer made the trip worth his while leading from the gun, and looked to use his past Cyclocross experience and made the tricky course to work to his liking.Local rider's Hayley Davis and Mirko Zatezalo, duelled it out until Davis put in the final attack and left Mirko in the mud.Cyclocross Hawke's Bay would like to thank Specialized for all there help and support for our events. It's been ideal to have a leading brand like Specialized behind the series and keen to build the Cyclocross scene in New Zealand.